Unbreakable Rocks

The final Rock Report of the season is always a difficult one to write. I always try to do something a little less formulaic as a thank-you to the team and especially our seniors. The last game of the season is often bittersweet and emotional. On one hand, you have hopefully taken home some hardware (which we did). On the other, there is only one 5A team in the state that doesn't have to end their season with a loss (unfortunately, not us this season).

The Rocks traveled up to Kokomo hoping to secure a 5A regional championship, but they ran into a team that was hungrier for victory. The Wildkats are likely still celebrating their first ever 5A regional title, with a 21-19 win. Congratulations to them, and best of luck as their season continues. In defeat, we are reminded as to how fleeting championships can be. Celebrate every win, especially in the post-season, because it can easily and suddenly be your last. Which is exactly why we must always reflect on the positive when and where it occurs.

This senior class has earned 3 consecutive sectional titles. They have been a part of 3 winning seasons. To put that in perspective, in the last ten years, no other class (with the exception of last year's seniors) had been a part of even back-to-back winning seasons. Success on the football field has never been easy in Westfield, Indiana. And success is never given; it is always earned. This group of young men is one of the smaller groups in recent memory, but what they lack in numbers they have more than accounted for in heart and hard work. It is easy to be part of a crowd. It is much harder when you are one of a small few. It requires extra dedication, and their stewardship of the program should serve as inspiration for those that follow. To be a Rock is not always to win, but always to fight, always to work, always to persevere. To be a Rock is to be unbreakable. The unbroken dedication of this group of seniors translated into success for the program, both on and off the field. Thank you, Seniors. It has been a pleasure to row alongside you.

To the rest of the 2015 Rocks, continue to pack light and bring a workman's attitude. This is not the summit. There are yet peaks to see, if only you have the courage and fortitude to make the journey. For you, the offseason has already begun. The closing of one chapter can be the start of another. How will you honor the dedication of these seniors? How will you build upon what it means to be a Rock?